Acting Up

Sam Foster is the hero of this YA comic novel by Ted Staunton. He's six foot four, and over his high school years has adopted the Slouch - an attempt to draw less attention to himself in crucial situa

Sam Foster is the hero of this YA comic novel by Ted Staunton. He's six foot four, and over his high school years has adopted the Slouch - an attempt to draw less attention to himself in crucial situations. In school, for example, or when walking with friends who are much shorter. Sam's got talent - he's the drummer in a rock band named ADHD, and he's also a sometime assistant to Hope Springs' registered eccentric/blowhard J. Earl Good enough. What Sam has to figure out is how to show sufficient responsibility to finally reach the heights of "maturity" his parents hold out as a measure. Dealing with his anarchistic girlfriend Martha is one challenge - she loves breaking all the rules. In addition there are the normal hazards of drinking too much before the school dance, getting his drivers' permit, deserving the trust of his parents when they leave him and his friend Darryl alone for the weekend, completing all the volunteer hours he needs to acquire before graduation - and stick handling his way by the oppressive Mr. Tegwar, surely one of the least appealing of teachers at the high school. Sam's worst fear is letting people down - which of course means letting himself down as well. By the end of this comic novel, Sam has figured out a number of things - among them that he and his girl friend are not suited to each other, and that adults are not always as mature as they appear to be. He has absorbed some of the rules for achieving maturity, though he has not yet reached that pinnacle.

"There isn't a character in this book who won't remind you of somebody you know, and they aren't superficial or two dimensional. Staunton also does an excellent job of capturing how teens think and speak, and the teenage voices feel authentic. The plot moves along at a swift pace and will easily appeal to reluctant teenage readers. Filled with action and humour, it's enjoyable to read. Much of the story is absurd, but it never becomes unbelievable. It isn't difficult to imagine that everything Sam experiences throughout the novel could happen, and readers will sympathize with Sam's mounting frustration as he keeps getting into trouble. Content wise, the novel is pretty clean, but issues of sex, drinking and drugs make this more appropriate for an early teenage audience than middle school readers.Highly Recommended."— CM Magazine

"Staunton has written a fast-paced coming-of-age novel that flows well. Teens will easily identify with the main characters and the hilarious antics that take place as he achieves maturity. There is mention of the effects of drinking alcohol and references to drug taking, but it is within the context of the story. Although it is part of the Hope Springs series, this novel could be read as a stand-alone book."— VOYA

"Staunton strikes a believable chord as the characters develop. . . Mostly comic with relatable, embarrassing situations and a cast of characters trying to figure out what they want and how to communicate with one another, it also has a few deeper notes that lend some weight to the plot. Though the outcomes of some plot points are a bit predictable, Staunton's overall story and creative collection of teenage mishaps makes it a good, solid read."— School Library Journal

Ted Staunton Since his 1983 debut with Puddleman, one of Canada's most perennially popular picture books, Ted Staunton has been entertaining readers of all ages with his funny and perceptive stories of childhood and family life. His many other books include Simon's Surprise, the Morgan stories for grades 2-4 readers, the Dreadful Truth series of humorous looks at Canadian history, the Junior novel Hope Springs a Leak, and its YA sequel, Sounding Off.